Architecture of the R/3 System

Chapter 14 C & L

Chapter 8 M & W

Problems of Enterprise-Wide Computing

• Slow response time during peak traffic loads

• Different time zones, systems, upgrades

• Heterogeneous database problem

• Multiple platforms

R/3 and Enterprise Computing

• Development of “middleware” enables portability across platforms– Technologies include:

• Db replication, messaging, XML, remote procedures

• R/3 supports:– TCP/IP

– RFC

– SQL & ODBC

– OLE, MAPI, EDI

R/3 Server Installations

• 3-tier C/S preferred– Homogeneous - same OS on one or more

platforms– Heterogeneous - a variety of platforms ex.

UNIX, NT, Windows on application server• UNIX with Oracle, Informix, DB2 on db server

– R/3 solves the distributed multiple heterogeneous platform problem with “middleware”

Benefits of Multiple Application Servers

• An alternate server can be automatically selected if one is unavailable

• “Load balancing” of clients to least busy server

• Can optimize queries and reduce load on db server to improve response time

• Because it is scalable, servers can be added as more processing capability is needed

C/S Scenarios

• Centralized host computer performs all tasks including db, applications, and presentation

• 2-tier C/S - db server is separate from “thick client” which processes apps and presentation

• 3-tier C/S - separate systems for db, apps, and presentation (preferred by R/3)

• N-tier C/S – extension using servers on Internet

SAP R/3 Basis System

Windows XP, Windows NT, OSF/Motif, Windows XP, Windows NT, OSF/Motif, OS/2-Warp, Macintosh , LinuxOS/2-Warp, Macintosh , Linux

ABAP/4, C, C+ +ABAP/4, C, C+ +

DialogDialogSAP-GUISAP-GUI

LanguagesLanguages

Windows XPWindows XP Windows NT,Windows NT,

OS/2-WarpOS/2-Warp

ADABAS DADABAS DDB2 for AIXDB2 for AIX

INFORMIX-OnLineINFORMIX-OnLineORACLE 10ORACLE 10

ADABAS DADABAS DMS SQL Server 9MS SQL Server 9

ORACLE 10ORACLE 10DB2/400DB2/400

AIXAIXDigital UNIXDigital UNIX

HP-UXHP-UX

SINIXSINIXSOLARSSOLARS Windows NTWindows NT OS/400OS/400

HardwareHardware AT&TAT&TCompaqCompaq

SequentSequentSNISNI. . .. . .

Data Data GeneralGeneral

HP (Intel)HP (Intel)IBM (Intel)IBM (Intel)

BullBullDigitalDigital

HPHP

IBMIBMSNISNISUNSUN

UNIX SystemsUNIX SystemsIBMIBM

AS/400AS/400

OperatingOperatingSystemsSystems

DatabasesDatabases

R/3 Middleware Transfer Protocols

• Front-end (presentation tier)– R/3 GUI uses resident OS resources to cut flow

of data to 1-2 KB– whole screens are not passed but only logical

control information and user inputs

• DB interface (between app and db servers)– SAP SQL within ABAP/4 environment– then translates queries into “native” SQL

R/3 Distribution Scenarios• Initially, R/3 was designed with one

centralized db in mind (from late ’80s)

• ALE technology was developed to enable different integration scenarios– Contained in Business Blueprint

• Centralized, integrated DB and application server

• Centralized by module on servers

• Completely decentralized R/3 with central db

• “Next Generation” architecture

System Landscape for SAP R/3 Implementation

CUST

DEV QAS PRD

TEST SAND QTST TRNG QTST

Next Generation ERP Architecture

• What is Internet ERP?– N-tier– EC, K Mgt, CRM, data mining, DSS, BI functionality

on top of back office– Integrated tools include

• BW with OLAP• APO• Sales Force Automation• CRM• B2B• SCM

Enterprise Application Integration (EAI)

EAI ServerDW environments

Visual Basic

MS Office

Java

Legacy Applications

ERP ApplicationsCRM, etc

NetWeaver Adoption

• SAP anticipates that NetWeaver will redefine the company in a global manner– About 5000 of more than 24,000 potential companies

have put some portion of NetWeaver into play

– Early stage of maturity

– IBM and MicroSoft supporting NetWeaver

– SAP committed heavily to grow this in 2004 and 2005

E-commerce and ERP• E-commerce and ERP technologies are

complements– If the competition is using the Internet effectively, then

a company needs to develop an Internet strategy

– Without integrated information systems, companies cannot support e-commerce effectively

– In 1999, eToys.com announced a week before Christmas that it would not be able to fill all Web orders

• Toys were in the warehouse, but the systems were not in place to process orders

SAP’s Portal Play

• 3rd party services• More than 40 partners• Added value for business

professionals• Highly Personalizable

Application Service Providers• An Application Service Provider (ASP) provides

management of application programs over a network

• Companies using the ASP do not have to purchase the hardware or software or higher people to operate systems

• ASPs can also provide consulting services for software applications like ERP

• ASPs can provide access to expensive applications like ERP with much lower startup costs

Application Service Providers• ASP Advantages:

– Affordability: Many companies that previously couldn’t afford ERP systems can now afford to lease it through an ASP

– Shorter implementation times: Implementation time is shorter because the company does not have to purchase hardware and software and train technical staff

– Expertise: ASPs are more likely to be able to hire and retain competent technical personnel than a small company can

Application Service Providers• ASP Disadvantages:

– Security: Companies turn their critical information over to a 3rd party

• ASP must be able to insure data integrity

• ASP may have better security and controls than a small company

– Bandwidth/response time: Telecommunications channel between ASP and company must be able to handle volume of transactions

– Flexibility: The ASP must be flexible in working with users and satisfying requests for modifications

Application Service Providers

• ASP Disadvantages:– No frills: An ASP may not be willing to

support 3rd party software or develop custom applications (e.g. ABAP programs)

– Technical, not business: An ASP may know the technical aspects of the software but may not be capable of helping customers with business process and configuration decisions